Printing apparatus



Oct. 13, 1953 M. HIRSCHEY PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 18, 1949 IN VEN TOR Mauouw HIRS EY 7-70 R/VE v Patented Oct 13, 1953 PRINTING APPARATUS Malcolm Hirschey, Woodside, N. Y., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Adolph Gottscho, Inc., Hillside, N. J a corporation of New York Application August 18, 1949, Serial No. 110,920

2 Claims.

The present invention relates to apparatus for printing indicia on containers, boxes, cartons, packing cases or the like, and, more particularly, to improved ink transferring means for such apparatus.

The apparatus of the present invention has manifold applications, and is suitable for use generally in the transfer of fiuids from a source to a vertical surface. Accordingly, while the nvention will be described herein in connection with inking mechanism for printing machines, it is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited to that precise application of the invention.

When used in connection with printing machines, one specific application is in the printing on vertical sides of moving packages, containers, bottles, jars, cans and the like, of indicia such as manufacturers or distributors serial numbers, codes and the like, which are generally applied while the article to be marked is moved in a lineal direction and one side thereof contacts a vertical rotatable printing roll while in motion to cause the indicia to be applied thereon.

Heretofore, with the use of apparatus for printing on vertical surfaces, it has been the practice to employ a felt roll, which sometimes has a reservoir of ink inside the roll to add to the ink contained in the felt as it is used. That practice, and the apparatus employed, however, limits the type of ink used to a dye type of ink for the reason that pigmented inks will not how through the felt. Moreover, it has heretofore been necessary to employ a slow drying ink for the reason that fast drying inks dry in the felt which becomes hard surfaced and useless. A further disadvantage of prior apparatus of this character is that a heavier film of ink is applied to the lower type faces and a lighter film to vertically higher type faces because the ink flows by gravity downward in the felt roll. Also prior apparatus do not provide for metering the ink accurately because the metering in such apparatus depends upon saturation of the felt, and such metering varies according to the porosity of the felt, the viscosity of the ink, temperature, and contamination of the felt by the ink itself.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention resides in the provision of apparatus which overcomes the aforesaid difficulties and disadvantages of prior apparatus.

Another object resides in the provision of improved means for transferring ink from a source of supply to a vertical printing roll and to a vertical surface to be printed.

Another object of the invention reside in the provision of apparatus of the character indicated wherein a continuous flow of ink to an ink receiving roll is provided.

Another object resides in the provision of means for continuously recirculating the ink whereby instant ink is handled in a continuous fiow to form a closed system, and whereby pigmented inks may be employed advantageously, in that, the pigment is retained in colloidal suspension.

Another object resides in the provision of means for directing a stream of ink onto the periphery of an ink receiving roll, the adjustment of the size of the stream of ink, and the adjustment of the position at which the stream contacts the roller.

Another object resides in the provision of means for effecting an even distribution of the ink on a transfer roll of printing machines, and wherein the ink is distributed uniformly throughout the surface of the rolls, even above the point at which the ink is directed on the receiving roll.

Another object is to provide such means wherein the amount of ink transferred is positively metered and accurately controlled, and can be varied to coat the printing roll or type face with ink in a desired manner, regardless of the position vertically of the type face, which metering is accomplished accurately and continuously without periodic adjustments, whereby the amount of ink used is determined by the demand of the surface to be printed.

Another object is to provide such means wherein the position of the ink supplying elements readily can be adjusted.

A further object is to provide such means wherein the pressure between contacting rolls readily can be adjusted.

A further object is to provide means wherein ink is prevented from contaminating the shafts, bearings or other elements associated with the inking rolls.

A still further object is to accomplish the foregoing in a simple, practical and economical manner.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be manifest from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention and from the illustrations in the accompanying drawing.

In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing objects are accomplished by providing a vertical printing roll, an ink transfer roll, means for directing a stream of ink on the supplying roll, means for evenly distributing the ink on the rolls regardless of the position at which the stream of ink is directed on the receiving roll, means for collecting drippings from the ink transfer and supplying rolls, and means for conducting the drippings to the stream directing means for recirculation. Means are also provided for varying the rate of flow of the stream and for varying its position with respect to the rolls. The ink supplying roll and ink transfer roll are provided with means for adjusting the relative position of their respective axes, whereby to vary the pressure between them, to relieve the pressure when the apparatus is not in use, and to permit ready removal of the parts of the apparatus for cleaning. The outer surfaces of the ink supplying and ink transferring rolls are constructed and arranged at their lower ends to prevent ink from contaminating bearings or other surfaces between parts which rotate with respect to each other.

In the accompanying drawing illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of apparatus in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, with certain parts in section illustrating details thereof; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-4 on Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing in detail and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, there is shown a platform It, continuously moving conveyor 12 for moving articles l4, such as packages, bottles, jars, cans, containers, cartons, boxes or packing cases and the like, into position for application of indicia on the side wall it thereof by the apparatus about to be described, and a guide rail M3 for positioning the articles in relation to the apparatus.

The apparatus in accordance with the invention generally comprises a substantially vertical printing roll 26, a substantially vertical ink supplying roll 22, an ink transferring roll 24 between and contacting the rolls 26 and 22, and means for directing a stream of ink on the roll 22, as will be described in detail hereinafter.

The printing roll 26 i mounted for rotation with a power drive shaft 23 extending upwardly through the platform 16 (Fig. 2) and has a die or indicia applying means 36 thereon adapted to engage the wall is of the article while in rolling contact therewith, whereby to print the indicia thereon. A gear 32 is secured to the upper end of the shaft.

The roll 24 may be rubber covered. or be metal etched with fine lines or gravure' indentations. When the roll 24 is rubber covered, the ink is applied to roll 22 in comparatively large amounts and is squeezed or pressed out by pressure contact with roll 24. A thin film of ink remains on the roll 24 and is transferred thereby to die 36, whereby a positively metered film of ink is supplied to the die. To produce a thicker or thinner (lighter or heavier) metered film of ink to the die 36, the hardness or Durometer rating of the rubber coating of the rolls 22 and 24, is varied. Soft rubber supplies a thicker film and harder rubber supplies thinner film. When the surface of the roll 24 is etched metal, which may be in conventiona1 knurled design (not shown) or any other suitable etched design, the ink is applied in the same manner as above described except that the thin film of ink on the roll is in the fine etched lines or indentations on the surface of the roll 24. The amount of ink metered, in such 4 case, varies according to the depth and size of the etched lines or indentations. Whether the roll 22 is covered with rubber or etched metal positive pressure contact is nevertheless required between rolls 22 and 24, Which pressure is provided in the manner hereinafter described.

The ink supplying and ink transferring rolls, 26 and 22 respectively, are each mounted for rotation about vertical axes by means described hereinafter. The roll 24 has a gear 34 secured thereto for meshing with the gear 32 whereby rotation of the roll 24 is effected. The roll 22 is adapted to be rotated by the roll 24 by reason of frictional contact therebetween.

The ink stream directing means comprise a vertical pipe 36 extending upwardly through the platform Ill, a supply reservoir 38 including a pump or impeller driven by a motor 40, a hose 42 connecting the outlet of the reservoir to the pipe 36, a laterally extending conduit or pipe 26, a nozzle 44 connected to the free end of the pipe 26 for directing the stream against the roll 22 at any desired point thereon, and a valve 46 in the pipe 36, controlled by a handwheel for varying the rate of flow of the stream. A clamp 4'! on the platform H] facilitates vertical adjustment of the pipe 36 and the nozzle 44 with respect to the roll 22, whereby the stream may be directed against the latter roll at any desired height on the periphery thereof.

In order to provide for recirculation for excess ink applied to the rolls, a pan or trough 48 mounted on the platform I0 is positioned beneath the rolls 22 and 24 for catching drippings therefrom, and a hose 50 connects the outlet 52 of the trough to the intake of the pump associated with the reservoir 38. If desired the trough 48 may be used conveniently for initial filling of the circulatory system.

The means for mounting the rolls 22 and 24 may be identical, and each comprises a circular shaft 54 secured at its lower end on the platform 16, and a sleeve 56 (Fig. 3) having an eccentric circular bore through which the shaft extends and having a cylindrical outer surface. The rolls 22 and 24 have a cylindrical body telescoped over and mounted for rotation on the sleeve 56 by bearings 58. The upper ends of the shaft 54 are connected to each other to prevent relative movement thereof, by a cross bar 60, and are threaded for the reception of means such as wing nuts 62 adapted to engage the sleeves 56 and prevent rotation thereof with respect to the shaft 54.

By reason of the foregoing described arrangement, the wing nuts 62 can be unscrewed to release the sleeves 56 to permit rotary adjustment thereof, whereby the eccentric bore facilitates positioning of the outer surfaces of the rolls 22 and 24 with respect to each other to increase or decrease the pressure therebetween. Also by this arrangement pressure between the rolls may be relieved when the device is not in use, and the parts may be removed readily for cleaning. By varying the pressure between the rolls, the ink directed by the nozzle 44 on the roll 22 and which passes between the rolls to be coated on the printing roll 20, can be adjustably controlled, and a predetermined positive pressure maintained between the rolls 22 and 24.

As the stream of ink is directed against the roll 22 and the roll is rotated in frictional engagement with the roll 24 in the manner previously described, after adjustment for the desired pressure between the rolls, the stream of ink is squeezed between the rolls and is spread evenly over the surfaces of the rolls. It will be understood that by the frictional contact of the rolls just mentioned, the ink will be spread uniformly over the surfaces of the rolls, even to a position above the point of contact of the stream on the roll 22. In the etched surface of roll 24 the ink is uniformly dispersed in the etching of indentations on the surface of the roll.

A further feature of the rolls 22 and 24 is that the cylindrical roll bodies are spaced a considerable distance from the sleeves 56, and that a tube or sleeve 64 in the trough extends upwardly between the lower end of the rolls and their sleeves. This tube prevents ink contamination of the sleeves, shafts and lower bearings (Fig. 2).

The printing roll 20 is adjustable vertically on the drive shaft 28 by means of an adjustment ring or fork 66 carried by a plate 68 supported on an adjusting screw 19 in the machine bed or platform 19, and may be fixed in adjusted position on the drive shaft by the said screw. The printing roll 20 may be removed from the drive shaft upon removal of the gear 32 which is removably held on the shaft by a set screw I2.

It is to be understood that the gears 32 and 34 may be secured adjacent the lower ends of their respective shafts, instead of the upper ends as illustrated, and if desired, the drive may be on the transfer roll instead of the printing roll.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the present invention provides improved ink transferring means which are simple in construction, and are readily operated. These means are adjustable to render the apparatus more adaptable for printing indicia on articles of the type disclosed. The recirculating system prevents waste of ink and makes it possible to use pigmented ink because the pumping thereof agltates the same and keeps the pigment suspended in the colloid.

While I have illustrated and described one preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the precise structure and arrangement of parts illustrated and described, as obviously various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. In printing apparatus, the combination of a substantially vertical printing roll, a substantially vertical ink supplying roll, a substantially vertical ink transferring roll between said printing and ink supplying rolls and in continuous surface contact with both of the latter, means for directing a stream of ink on said ink supplying roll at an elevated point on the periphery thereof, means for varying the rate of flow of the stream of ink, means adjustably supporting said ink directing means to permit adjustment of the vertical position of said ink directing means in relation to said ink supplying roll and for locking said ink directing means in its adjusted position, and means for varying the contact pressure between said ink supplying and ink transferring rolls.

2. In printing apparatus, the combination set forth in claim 1 including a shaft rotatably supporting each of said ink supplying and ink transferring rolls, a trough below said ink supplying and ink transferring rolls, sleeves in said trough surrounding the lower ends of said shafts supporting the ink supplying and ink transferring rolls, and the lower end portions of said ink supplying and ink transferring rolls extending over and surrounding the related sleeves in said trough.

MALCOLM HIRJSCHEY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Nov. 23, 1933 Number Number 

